We learned about the early church during Sunday school this week and we read this passage:

"Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need." (Acts 4:32-35 NKJV)

We asked ourselves, what made the people of the early church behave the way they did. How did they give so freely to each other? Could we be like that too? And is there even a place for the church today?

My Sunday school teacher said that being part of a larger community was God's plan for Christians. For that is one of the channels by which we experience the love and grace of God. And as we receive, we too are compelled to give, and to be the vessel of Christ's love and grace to others.

Being part of a community, we are involved in each other's lives. And it is through being part of other's lives that we also recognize the grace of God. If we did not belong to the church, we would only be able to see God's love and grace displayed in our own experiences. And how limited those experiences would be! But being part of this larger community, we celebrate as we see blessings poured out in another's life; we stand by those who experience loss. And we trace the Lord's hand together.

This week, my dear friends Jerm and Hong Wee got married. And through their wedding, I caught a glimpse of how we too could be like the early church. Everyone was truly of one heart and one soul as they worked tirelessly and gave generously for the wedding. From the pastors, to the uncles who helped in the car park; from the choir to the decor team; from the contribution of the cake, to the contribution of the ice cream. Each person played their part because they had experienced the abundant grace of God in their lives.

The wedding service was beautiful. But the testimony of God's love and grace in not only the couple's lives but the lives of each person involved was even more beautiful.

It was a privilege to be part of the wedding. It is a privilege to be a part of their lives. It is a privilege to be part of this family of God.

So my answer is yes, if God is real in each of our lives, we can be like the early church. And yes, there is a place for the church today.

Congratulations Hong Wee and Jerm. May Christ be the centre of your lives and may you always point others to Him.

(p.s. Talk to me if you too would like to be part of this family of God)